Law

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• applying directly

University

You could give yourself an advantage by doing a relevant degree in:

• forensic science
• criminology
• applied science
• chemistry
• biology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Direct application

Each police service sets its own entry requirements, but to start as a trainee fingerprint officer you'll often need one or more of the following:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including maths, English and a science subject
• A levels or equivalent qualifications
• experience of working in the police service

Police services will carry out checks into your background and employment history. This might also include checks on your close family members.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• You'll usually need a driving licence.
• pass security checks
• pass enhanced background checks

More information

Career tips

Some knowledge of forensic and photographic techniques is helpful though not essential.

With experience, you could become a senior fingerprint officer or scientific support manager. With further training, you could become a scenes of crime officer (SOCO), or move into forensics or criminal intelligence work.